High profile jockey Kerrin McEvoy has ruled out two times Everest winner Redzel getting caught in a speed battle up front in today’s $14m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.
Redzel, above, is chasing a third straight Everest win at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The front running Redzel led all of the way to win his second Everest last year but McEvoy said that he wouldn’t be caught eye balling the Chris Waller trained speed machine Nature Strip or Sunlight if Luke Currie decides to make a forward move.
“I won’t be joining in any speed battles, that’s for sure,’’ McEvoy told The Daily Telegraph.
“He does like to lead but he is versatile, we can sit off the lead. I will ride him accordingly.’’
Redzel will jump from gate seven in the twelve horse Everest field with Sunlight one to his inside in six while Nature Strip will jump from the outside barrier.
Nature Strip has resented being restrained in the past and James McDonald might have no option but to let the two times Group 1 cross the field and slide to the front.
If that is the case, McEvoy will happily take a sit behind the speed and conserve Redzel’s energy for the final run home.
Sunlight is also versatile and can race on the pace or back in the field but did lead all of the way last start down the Flemington straight to win the Group 2 $300,000 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago.
Redzel kicked off his Everest campaign with a first up win in the Group 3 $160,000 Forum Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 7 but then faded into third place behind Pierata and Classique Legend in the Group 2 $500,000 Bowermans Office Furniture Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 21.
Team Snowden then sent Redzel to Gosford for a win in a 1000m barrier trial to have him cherry ripe for his attempt to win a third straight Everest.
Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have Redzel marked at $11 while Santa Ana Lane is holding onto favouritism at $4.60 just ahead of Arcadia Queen at $5.
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